Armageddon: Duda beats Gukesh, Abdusattorov beats Humpy

Press release by World Chess

Jan-Krzysztof Duda — Gukesh D

Game 1 in this high-stakes encounter kicked off with the Catalan Opening, a familiar battlefield for both players, having previously faced off in this system with reversed colours earlier in the year. The middlegame witnessed a harmonious equilibrium until the relentless march of time forced Gukesh into a precarious situation, culminating in the forfeiture of an exchange and a game 1 loss against Duda.

Attack like a Super Grandmaster

In this Fritztrainer: “Attack like a Super GM” with Gukesh we touch upon all aspects of his play, with special emphasis on how you can become a better attacking player.

The second game unfolded with Duda grappling with early-stage strategic decisions, devouring precious minutes on his clock in the opening moves. Manifestations of discomfort were evident in Duda’s expressions as he contemplated his moves. Gukesh seized the opportunity, capitalizing on the position to secure an exchange and clinch the victory, ultimately propelling the match into the electrifying Armageddon phase.

In the crucial Armageddon showdown, Gukesh, armed with the White pieces and an extra minute on his clock, facing a must-win scenario. Fuelled by this imperative, he embarked on a strategic journey to seize control of the centre and initiate a decisive assault on his opponent’s king. Duda, displaying remarkable resourcefulness, managed to secure a pawn and deftly counteracted Gukesh’s kingside attack. In the end, Gukesh conceded, relegating him to the losers’ bracket to face Richard Rapport in the next phase of this high-stakes tournament.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda

Nodirbek Abdusattorov — Humpy Koneru

In game 1 of their matchup, Nodirbek Abdusattorov opted for the unconventional Jobava London System, showcasing his affinity for modern and innovative openings. India’s top female player, Humpy Koneru, approached the game with caution but expended a significant amount of time in the early stages. Nodirbek strategically positioned his rooks along the c-file, securing both a positional advantage and a pawn. Humpy’s formidable defensive skills posed a considerable challenge for the young Uzbek Grandmaster, who diligently sought to capitalize on his advantage.

Despite operating with less than 20 seconds on her clock for the majority of the game, Humpy displayed exceptional resilience in a challenging rook endgame. The position, though losing, remained complex, and she came perilously close to salvaging a draw. However, Nodirbek Abdusattorov managed to secure the victory, capturing the crucial point in a thrilling encounter.

Attacking with the Jobava London System

The Jobava London System is a minor form of the London System. White tries to play Lf4 quickly followed by Nc3.

In game 2, Humpy Koneru embarked on a quest to overturn the match’s outcome, opting for the Tarrasch Variation. Despite her determination, the battle against the clock proved to be her most formidable adversary, as she inadvertently fell into an exchange attack. Consequently, her position deteriorated, leading to her defeat in game 2 and, ultimately, the loss in her match against Nodirbek Abdusattorov. However, the journey continues, with Humpy set to face Wesley So in the losers’ bracket tomorrow.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov

Video webcast

Day 5 pairings

Humpy Koneru – Wesley So
Richard Rapport – Gukesh D

The broadcast starts at 19:00 CEST.

Links

• Tournament page
• Wesley So wins ‘Armageddon Series: Americas’
• Gukesh beats Abdusattorov, wins ‘Armageddon Series: Asia & Oceania’
• Assaubayeva wins World Chess Armageddon Women’s Week
• Rapport wins Armageddon Series’ European leg, Duda in Grand Finale